Deputy Prosecutor General Andriy Leshchenko met with Mihails Papsuevics, State Secretary of the Latvian Ministry of Justice, at the Office of the Prosecutor General. The parties discussed cooperation in the field of criminal justice — ranging from the investigation of international crimes and the alignment of procedural rules with EU standards to the international exchange of evidence, the tracing of assets and their recovery.
Briefly about the main points
- The parties discussed the investigation into international crimes.
- The discussion centred on harmonising the legislation with the Rome Statute of the ICC.
- Ukraine is preparing for the EU’s future instruments for judicial cooperation.
- The parties discussed Latvia’s experience of cooperating with Eurojust and joint investigation teams.
- Specific topics included evidence, cross-border corruption and assets.
Liability for international crimes
The participants at the meeting discussed bringing Ukraine’s criminal procedure legislation into line with European Union standards. Particular attention was paid to improving the provisions on liability for international crimes and harmonising them with the provisions of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.
Leshchenko stated that the investigation of such crimes requires the closest possible cooperation between states. According to him, national legislation must comply with international standards and enable those responsible to be held to account effectively.
Ukraine is a participating state The Rome Statute of the ICC. National legislation already contains a number of related provisions, in particular regarding universal jurisdiction, command responsibility and procedural cooperation with the court.
Preparing for EU judicial cooperation mechanisms
The parties discussed Ukraine’s preparations for the implementation of European instruments for international judicial cooperation. These include the European arrest warrant and the principle of mutual recognition of judicial decisions.
The European Arrest Warrant is used between EU Member States for the transfer of suspects or convicted persons. Discussions on this matter are part of preparing the Ukrainian system for future EU membership, rather than introducing the mechanism in Ukraine at this stage.
The Latvian side also shared its experience of working with Eurojust and within joint investigation teams. Latvia is a member of the joint investigation team on serious international crimes in Ukraine, which operates under the auspices of Eurojust.
Exchange of evidence and return of unlawfully acquired property
A separate round of talks focused on cross-border corruption, the international exchange of evidence, the tracing and freezing of assets, and the return of illegally acquired property.
Leshchenko thanked the Latvian side for its consistent support for Ukraine and its willingness to share its experience of adapting the national justice system to EU standards.
The parties confirmed their willingness to continue cooperating in the areas of criminal justice and international judicial cooperation.
